What Do Signshops Leave Behind After Completing a Job?

What is everyone leaving behind at a completed job? Nothing? Promo product, information sheets on maintenance, discounts for other services?

It likely depends on the type of job, though no matter the type, failing to leave behind some kind of promotional item is a major missed opportunity, so let’s rule out “nothing” for sign companies with common sense. Examples of promotional items we’ve heard about in recent years include stickers of a client’s logo along with the print job for that client. One company mentioned leaving a “new wrap care” hanger on the rearview mirror of wrap-customer vehicles. In addition to tips on keeping the wrap looking good are the company logo and web address. So, for example, maybe if you do a sign for the front window of a bar or restaurant, leave samples of coasters with the customer’s logo prominent, but your company name and website on there too… for now.

Where are all of my old “sign dogs?” How can we keep them engaged within industry participation, even the ones that have since retired?

One thought is to involve them in the training of new employees, especially if they are veterans of your own company, familiar with your ways of doing things. In theory, they could handle at least the first part of the training without your current senior employees having to be involved, freeing them up to continue with regular shop work. The old sign dogs would likely be paid for this kind of work, however, and that may not align with some shop budgets. Maybe hosting a lunch and afternoon of informal shop talk followed by a cocktail or two at the end of the day might entice a sign dog to come back for a half day every now and then to share wisdom and experience with current employees. Your sign association(s) may also have ideas.

We asked the ST Brain Squad: What has been your experience with equipment (e.g., plotter, printer, laser, CNC) from China?

Like it being backed by American companies and folks that we are very familiar with.

• Don’t do it!
• Fair, usually bugs to work out and sometimes no help to solve the problems, which is maddening. Not made for longevity.
• Not too good of an experience with fiber lasers.
• Our CNC was assembled in the USA from Chinese parts. It has been an excellent machine. I’m in the process of importing a 72-in. digital printer from China.
• The race to the bottom continues.
• We bought a cheap cold laminator from China and it has been amazing for overlaying large panels.

P.S. We recently bought real estate frames from our vendor. They changed to “Made in the USA” due to the tariffs. We had to send them back because the quality was so poor and they were not even made correctly. We told our vendor to let us know when the frames from China will be back.